Wednesday, 4 February 2015

Wicklow County Council to establish a cross party committee to plan for the 1916 Centenary commemoration

Wicklow County Council is to establish a cross party committee to put in place plans to commemorate the centenary of the 1916 rising. The issue of commemorating 1916 was raised by Sinn Féin Councillor John Brady who questioned the funding available and what plans are in place in Wicklow for 2016. He stated Wicklow volunteers played a key role in the build up to 1916 with many participating in the fighting during Easter week. Councillor Brady's proposal of a cross party 1916 committee was unanimously agreed to.

Speaking after the meeting Councillor Brady said "Wicklow played a key role in the build up to 1916 and a number of volunteers from Wicklow actively participated in the fighting during Easter week when the Republic was declared. There is less that eleven months now before 2016 comes and the centenary commemoration events start. At the meeting on Monday i stated that it was important that every County across Ireland puts in place detailed plans to commemorate 1916, the men and women who set about declaring the Republic and that Wicklow should be no different."

"In January the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht Heather Humphreys announced that €1 million was being made available to local authorities for commemorative events in the state. At the meeting i stated that Wicklow needs to put in place a programme of events to commemorate the men and women of 1916 and that key to this would be education as to the true meaning of the Republic that was declared. Wicklow could get up to €32,000 in funding so its vital to get working on a programme of events straight away. I proposed at the meeting that a cross party 1916 committee be established to engage the public and put in place a programme that is dignified, respectful and educational."

Cllr Brady concluded "It was unanimously agreed that the cross party committee would be established and i look forward to its establishment and participating in it to ensure that the memory and legacy of the men and women who participated in 1916 and its buildup are remembered in a dignified manner here in Wicklow."